Christmas Events for Kids in Leipzig (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

13 min read · Auf Deutsch lesen

For 2026, we confirmed 19 Christmas events for kids in Leipzig. The season opens on November 21 with The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin) and runs until December 31 with The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin), Ages 5 and Up. Of these, 2 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Germany.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Leipzig, Großpösna, Schkeuditz, Taucha and Zwenkau: 19
  • First: The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin), Leipzig, November 21
  • Free events: Taucha Christmas Markets with Family Afternoon in the Castle Courtyard and Sind die Lichter angezündet (Are the Lights Lit)

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Leipzig

Kids’ Christmas events
19 confirmed for 2026
Towns
Leipzig, Großpösna, Schkeuditz, Taucha and Zwenkau
Season
November 21 to December 31
Free events
2
Last checked

Free 2Ticketed and paid 17

Free Christmas events for kids in Leipzig

Christmas showFree

Sind die Lichter angezündet (Are the Lights Lit)

Expand to see the parent tip

On every Advent Sunday in December, Theater der Jungen Welt invites everyone to the traditional Christmas singing in Lindenau. Under the musical direction of Matthias Queck, people sing for an hour, for all ages and with no experience needed. There is also punch and mulled wine (Glühwein).

The dates are Dec 6 and Dec 20 at Lindenauer Markt and Dec 13 at Nathanaelkirchplatz, each at 5 pm. The singing takes place outdoors and admission is free. It is organized in cooperation with the Evangelisch-Lutherische Nathanaelkirchgemeinde (Evangelical Lutheran Nathanael parish) and the Initiative Nathanaelkirchplatz.

Parent tip: The event is outdoors, so dress warmly. Note the different location on Dec 13. Expect the singing to be in German.

Host
Theater der Jungen Welt Leipzig (opens in a new tab)
Where
Lindenauer Markt and Nathanaelkirchplatz, Lindenauer Markt 21, 04177 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Theater der Jungen Welt Leipzig (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 18 more Leipzig events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Leipzig.
  • Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Leipzig.
  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Coming up on this page

  • 16 Shows
  • 4 Santa
  • 3 Story time
  • 2 Crafts
  • 2 Free

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Leipzig every week.

Free. One email a week with new events in Leipzig. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy

Christmas events for kids in Taucha

Christmas marketFree

Taucha Christmas Markets with Family Afternoon in the Castle Courtyard

Expand to see the parent tip

The Taucha Christmas markets run in 2026 from Friday, Nov 27, to Sunday, Nov 29, on the market square and in the courtyard of the Rittergutsschloss manor castle. Leipziger Straße connects the two places and is lit up. Admission is free.

On Saturday, Nov 28, at 2 pm there is a family program in the castle courtyard with jugglers and a children's concert. On Sunday, Nov 29, a family afternoon follows at 2 pm with a children's program and a mailbox for wish lists. Children can drop their wishes in there and, according to the announcement, will get a handwritten reply in the weeks before Christmas.

Parent tip: Write the return address clearly on the wish list so the reply arrives. According to the announcement, the exact program is posted on taucha.de.

Host
Stadt Taucha with Schlossverein Taucha (opens in a new tab)
Where
Marktplatz and Schlosshof Rittergutsschloss (market square and courtyard of the manor castle), Schloßstraße, 04425 Taucha (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stadt Taucha with Schlossverein Taucha (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Leipzig

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

The #1 spot Event hosts: free events are listed first. One featured spot puts your event at the very top of this page.Ask about the #1 spot

Christmas show

The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin)

Expand to see the parent tip

At Theater der Jungen Welt on Lindenauer Markt, “Die Schneekönigin” (The Snow Queen), based on Hans Christian Andersen, runs in the weeks before Christmas. A shard of glass turns Kay's heart to ice, he disappears, and his friend Gerda sets off to bring him back. It is a story about friendship and about never giving up on each other.

This version is by Benedikt Grubel and is meant for children ages 6 and up. It plays from late November until just before New Year's Eve, mostly at 11 am and 4 pm on the Advent weekends and at 5 pm between the holidays. Tickets are available through Theater der Jungen Welt, phone 0341 4866016. The theater is one of the oldest children's and youth theaters in Germany and is in the Lindenau district. If you have younger children, Puppentheater Sterntaler has a version for ages 5 and up between the holidays.

Parent tip: Weekend and school holiday dates are ideal for families. Ticket phone: 0341 4866016. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Theater der Jungen Welt (opens in a new tab)
Where
Theater der Jungen Welt, Lindenauer Markt 21, 04177 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Theater der Jungen Welt (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas market

Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt 2026 (Leipzig Christmas Market)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Leipzig Christmas market goes back to the year 1458 and is considered the second oldest in Germany. In 2026 it spreads across seven areas of the city center from Nov 24 to Dec 23. At the festive opening on Nov 24 at 5 pm, the roughly 20-meter (66-foot) Christmas tree in front of the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) lights up for the first time with 3,000 lights.

The market is especially valued for its offerings for kids: the Märchenwald (fairy-tale forest) with many play areas and the Lesewerkstatt (reading workshop) on Augustusplatz, the Märchenland (fairy-tale land), the Ferris wheel and the historic double-decker carousel in the Salzgässchen. One highlight is Santa's office hours on the market stage. On Grimmaische Straße, glowing animal figures stand among real fir trees, and trombone players perform from the Town Hall balcony. Also popular with families is the walk-in Christmas present on the Thomaswiese, a favorite photo spot.

Parent tip: The city publishes Santa's exact office hours on its Christmas market page. On Dec 22 the market closes already at 8 pm.

Host
Stadt Leipzig, Marktamt (opens in a new tab)
Where
Markt und Augustusplatz, 04109 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stadt Leipzig, Marktamt (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Familienzeit: Advent, Advent (Family Time: Advent, Advent)

Expand to see the parent tip

“Advent, Advent” is a Christmas concert for children up to age seven, their parents and grandparents. Cookies smell good, lights twinkle and music plays: excerpts from “Der Nussknacker” (The Nutcracker) and “Hänsel und Gretel” as well as festive classical Advent and Christmas music invite you to sing, play and join in.

The performers are Anastasiia Doroshenko (voice), Karolin Ketzel-Grüneberg (clarinet and host) and Chizuru Böhme (piano). The concert is a collaboration with the Musikschule Luftraum (music school). There are two shows, at 10 and 11 am. Tickets are available only in advance and cost €14 for adults and €10 for children. Doors open about 30 minutes before the start, and seating is open. The Budde-Haus is in the Gohlis district in northern Leipzig and is easy to reach by tram.

Parent tip: Tickets only in advance. If you arrive early, open seating gets you the best seats.

Host
Budde-Haus (opens in a new tab)
Where
Budde-Haus, Lützowstraße 19, 04157 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Budde-Haus (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Spuren im Schnee (Tracks in the Snow)

Expand to see the parent tip

In Spuren im Schnee, the animals in the forest get ready for Christmas. Owl reports on the holiday from the city, and Egon the stag, Lilli the bunny and the squirrel decide to give each other gifts. Then suddenly all the presents are gone, and only snow could help find the thief's trail. The play by Theater WiWo runs about 45 minutes.

It plays at Puppentheater Sterntaler, Talstraße 30. The dates fall at the start of December and between the holidays, in the morning or late afternoon. The play is recommended for ages 4 and up, children from age 3 are allowed into the theater, babies are not. Tickets are available in the online shop or at the theater box office, where only cash is accepted.

Parent tip: Babies cannot be brought along, children are welcome from age 3. Only cash is accepted at the theater box office. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Puppentheater Sterntaler (opens in a new tab)
Where
Puppentheater Sterntaler, Talstraße 30, 04103 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Puppentheater Sterntaler (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

The Nutcracker (Der Nussknacker): Family Day

Expand to see the parent tip

A mysterious Christmas Eve, a sparkling fir tree and a special gift: for Clara, a fairy-tale night begins. The nutcracker she receives for Christmas opens the door to a magical world where toys come to life, mice battle, snowflakes dance and dreams come true.

Kaloyan Boyadjiev has breathed new life into the classic with a gently modernized choreography and sparkling, richly detailed new sets and costumes. Set to Tchaikovsky's music, it creates a fairy-tale stage world meant to enchant young and old. The performance on Dec 3 at 5 pm is marked as a Family Day, and the early start suits school-age kids. Tickets are available through Oper Leipzig on Augustusplatz, right next to the Märchenland (fairy-tale land) of the Christmas market. The opera house is at the Augustusplatz tram stop. For younger children, an aisle seat is a good idea in case you need a break.

Parent tip: After the show, the Märchenland of the Christmas market is right in front of the opera house on Augustusplatz.

Host
Oper Leipzig (opens in a new tab)
Where
Oper Leipzig, Augustusplatz 12, 04109 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Oper Leipzig (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Puschel und das Weihnachtskugeln (Puschel and the Christmas Baubles)

Expand to see the parent tip

Christmas is near, and in Puschel's tree the Christmas baubles sparkle, a real feast for the eyes. But something pleases Puschel even more: the Weihnachtskugeln (a made-up play on words in the show's title). With him things should be merry and lively, with festive fun and of course with exuberant singing. The kids get to help search for where the songs are hiding.

The musical theater is explicitly meant for children ages two to six and so is ideal for a first trip to the theater. It plays on Saint Nicholas weekend at the Kulturhof Gohlis, each day at 11 am and 4 pm. The city calendar does not list prices, and information is available on the Kulturhof's website. The Kulturhof is in the Gohlis district in northern Leipzig. If you come with siblings, pay attention to the age range.

Parent tip: The 11 am dates fit well with toddlers' daily rhythm. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Kulturhof Gohlis (opens in a new tab)
Where
Kulturhof Gohlis, Eisenacher Straße 72, 04155 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Kulturhof Gohlis (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Der Traumzauberbaum (The Dream Magic Tree): Herr Kellerstaub rettet Weihnachten (Mr. Kellerstaub Saves Christmas)

Expand to see the parent tip

On the Sunday afternoon of Saint Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag), “Der Traumzauberbaum: Herr Kellerstaub rettet Weihnachten” plays at the Haus Auensee in northwest Leipzig. The city event calendar lists the performance in the category children's and youth theater, and it starts at 3 pm. The title already tells you what it is about: Mr. Kellerstaub has to save Christmas.

The calendar gives no further details on the content, age recommendation or length, and tickets are available through a provider linked there. The Haus Auensee is a large event hall at the Auensee and is easy to reach by tram. If you have questions about the show, you can reach the venue at 0341 484000. In the large hall it is worth buying tickets early for a good view. On Saint Nicholas Day the show combines well with a walk around the Auensee.

Parent tip: Ask the Haus Auensee directly at 0341 484000 for details on age and length. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Haus Auensee (opens in a new tab)
Where
Haus Auensee, Gustav-Esche-Straße 4, 04159 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Haus Auensee (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas story time

Fairy-Tale Hour on Saint Nicholas Day with Storyteller Jörg Werner

Expand to see the parent tip

On the afternoon of Saint Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag, Dec 6), Jörg Werner tells fairy tales at Villa Rosental for children ages 5 and up. The fairy-tale hour starts at 3 pm and is listed in the city events calendar. Free storytelling is an old art: with no screen in sight, the pictures form in the children's minds.

The calendar gives no further details on length, admission or registration. Villa Rosental is on Humboldtstraße at the edge of the Rosental park, not far from the zoo and downtown. If you like, you can combine the afternoon with a walk through the Rosental and then continue on to the Christmas market downtown. The fairy-tale hour suits a family Sunday well. For children who like to listen, it makes for a reflective Saint Nicholas afternoon.

Parent tip: Since the calendar says nothing about registration, it is best to arrive a little early. The Rosental is a nice place for a walk afterward. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Villa Rosental (opens in a new tab)
Where
Villa Rosental, Humboldtstraße 1, 04105 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Villa Rosental (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Visit with Santa

Saint Nicholas Day at the Zoo (Nikolaustag im Zoo)

Expand to see the parent tip

On Dec 6, Zoo Leipzig invites families to Saint Nicholas Day. Saint Nicholas is out and about with the zoo mascot Tammi from 10 am to 1 pm and is ready for a souvenir photo at the entrance. Kids and adults can also cut out and decorate animal Christmas tree ornaments from modeling clay, either for their own tree or to give as gifts.

The Zoolotsen (zoo guides) run the craft activity from 10 am to 4 pm in the Untere Salathaihütte. Kids up to age 16 get a free ticket that day, either at the ticket windows on site or online about a week ahead. The zoo is at Pfaffendorfer Straße 29 in Leipzig. Adults pay regular admission.

Parent tip: The free kids' ticket is available at the ticket window or online about a week ahead. Photo time with Saint Nicholas ends at 1 pm, so it is best to come in the morning.

Host
Zoo Leipzig (opens in a new tab)
Where
Zoo Leipzig, Pfaffendorfer Straße 29, 04105 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Zoo Leipzig (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Morgen, Findus, wird's was geben! (Tomorrow, Findus, Something Will Happen)

Expand to see the parent tip

Ever since Pettersson told his cat about Santa (der Weihnachtsmann), Findus has had just one wish: Santa should visit him too. Pettersson doesn't want to disappoint him, so there is drawing, sawing and hammering in the carpentry shed. In the end, things turn out differently than planned. The play by Theater Fingerhut stars Frank Schenke with a large puppet and runs about 45 minutes.

Performances run from Dec 8 to 13 at Puppentheater Sterntaler, Talstraße 30. Shows are at 10 am in the morning, 4 pm in the afternoon, and on Sunday at 11 am and 4 pm. The theater recommends the play for ages 4 and up, children from age 3 are admitted, babies are not. You can buy tickets in the online shop, or at the box office for cash only.

Parent tip: Children from age 3 are welcome, babies unfortunately are not. You can only pay cash at the theater box office. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Puppentheater Sterntaler (opens in a new tab)
Where
Puppentheater Sterntaler, Talstraße 30, 04103 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Puppentheater Sterntaler (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

The Magic Christmas Show

Expand to see the parent tip

On the third Advent Saturday, the garden clubhouse of the “Seilbahn” allotment garden association in Gohlis hosts a Christmas show for the whole family. A young singer known from The Voice Kids 2025 meets the magic world of the Magic Brothers. There are also special talent guests, live music and dance acts.

The promise is a varied afternoon full of music, magic, dance and emotion, where you can dive into the Christmas season. It starts at 4 pm. Tickets and prices are available from the ticket provider linked in the calendar. For kids who love magic tricks or like to sing themselves, the show is a nice item on the Advent calendar. The clubhouse is on Max-Liebermann-Straße in northern Leipzig and can be reached by tram. For families, it is a colorful alternative to the classic Christmas fairy-tale play at the theater.

Parent tip: Buy tickets ahead of time through the provider linked in the calendar. Expect it to be in German.

Host
KGV „Seilbahn“ Gartenlokal (opens in a new tab)
Where
Gartenlokal des KGV „Seilbahn“ (garden clubhouse of the Seilbahn allotment garden association), Max-Liebermann-Straße 91, 04157 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with KGV „Seilbahn“ Gartenlokal (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Der kleine Prinz mit Grießbreischmaus (The Little Prince with a Semolina Pudding Feast): Celebrate Christmas with the Little Prince

Expand to see the parent tip

The Little Prince celebrates Christmas at the Beyerhaus. First there is a fruity semolina pudding (Grießbrei) feast, then guests experience the world-famous tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry as a play for the whole family. A pilot has to make an emergency landing in the middle of the desert, and suddenly a child stands before him and asks: “Please, draw me a sheep.” It becomes a journey full of encounters and farewells.

David Leubner plays the little prince and 13 other characters, and Bernd Guhr directed. Doors open at 4:30 pm, and the pudding is served at 5 pm. If you come without the meal, you are let in from 5:30 pm. The show begins at 6 pm. The play mixes cheerfulness with seriousness and suits school-age children better. The Beyerhaus is in the Südvorstadt on Ernst-Schneller-Straße, easy to reach by tram.

Parent tip: If you do not want the pudding, just come from 5:30 pm. Tickets through the provider linked in the calendar. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Beyerhaus (opens in a new tab)
Where
Beyerhaus, Ernst-Schneller-Straße 6, 04107 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Beyerhaus (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Über Bethlehem ein Stern (A Star Over Bethlehem)

Expand to see the parent tip

Über Bethlehem ein Stern tells the Christmas story as puppet theater for the whole family. A simple but clever village judge notices a star and decides to follow it. With open eyes and an honest heart, he gets through all the dangers of his journey until he finally stands before a manger in a stable. The theater describes the production as touching and tongue in cheek.

The play runs about 45 minutes and is recommended for children ages 7 and up. It is a text-heavy play performed in spoken German. It plays in the Etage Eins space of Theater der Jungen Welt at Lindenauer Markt 21. All tickets for the performances on Dec 23 and 24 are already sold out. Wheelchair spaces are available by arrangement with the service staff.

Parent tip: The play is text-heavy and performed in spoken German. Please arrange wheelchair spaces ahead of time with the service staff.

Host
Theater der Jungen Welt Leipzig (opens in a new tab)
Where
Theater der Jungen Welt, Etage Eins, Lindenauer Markt 21, 04177 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Theater der Jungen Welt Leipzig (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin), Ages 5 and Up

Expand to see the parent tip

When Christmas is over and the school break drags on, Puppentheater Sterntaler offers a wintry change of pace. Theater Fingerhut with Frank Schenke performs “Die Schneekönigin” (The Snow Queen), Hans Christian Andersen's winter tale, for children ages 5 and up. The small puppet theater on Talstraße is centrally located in Leipzig's Graphisches Viertel.

It plays on the last two days of the year: Dec 30 at 11 am and 4 pm, and on New Year's Eve at 11 am. The New Year's Eve morning show is ideal for bridging the time until the evening. The city calendar gives no information on prices or length, but the theater can tell you at 0341 9615435. Seats at small puppet theaters are usually limited. If you have older children, you can also see the version at Theater der Jungen Welt for ages 6 and up.

Parent tip: Reserve by phone at 0341 9615435, small theaters fill up quickly during the school break. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Puppentheater Sterntaler (opens in a new tab)
Where
Puppentheater Sterntaler, Talstraße 30, 04103 Leipzig (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Puppentheater Sterntaler (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Großpösna

Carol concert

Children's Concert: Fairy Tales, Songs, Texts (Bald nun ist Weihnachtszeit) (Großpösna)

Expand to see the parent tip

As part of the Störmthal Advent Market, there is a children's concert at the Baroque palace on Saint Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag, Dec 6) called “Bald nun ist Weihnachtszeit” (Soon It Will Be Christmastime). The program features fairy tales, texts and songs for the weeks before Christmas. A nice extra: children can bring their wish lists, and Liane Fietzke will pass them on to the Santa post office (Weihnachtsmannpostamt).

The duo con emozione performs, with Liane Fietzke singing and hosting and Norbert Fietzke at the piano. Both studied at the Leipzig music conservatory and have worked together for many years. The concert starts at 11 am. The palace is in Großpösna on Lake Störmthal, southeast of Leipzig, and after the concert the Advent market invites you to stroll. If you come by car, plan on about half an hour from downtown Leipzig.

Parent tip: Don't forget the wish list, it will be passed on to the Santa post office. A walk through the Störmthal Advent Market is worth it afterward. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Barockschloss Störmthal (opens in a new tab)
Where
Barockschloss Störmthal, Rosengang 3, 04463 Großpösna (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Barockschloss Störmthal (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Schkeuditz

Christmas show

Pettersson & Findus: Morgen, Findus, wird's was geben! (Tomorrow, Findus, Something Will Happen) (Schkeuditz)

Expand to see the parent tip

Christmas is around the corner, and there is plenty going on with Pettersson and Findus. Findus is full of excitement, because tomorrow something will happen, but what it is stays a big secret. While he whirls through the preparations, Pettersson tries to bring everything into calm and order. The result is a chaotic adventure with surprises, lovable nonsense and lots of heart.

Amid the scent of fir, small mishaps and big wishes, it becomes clear what Christmas is really about: friendship and sticking together. Figurentheater Felix plays every scene live with impressive rod puppets up to a meter tall, with no screen at all. The performance at Kulturhaus Sonne in Schkeuditz starts on Wednesday at 4 pm. Under the title “Pettersson und Findus: LIVE,” the city calendar also lists a date on Dec 23 in Taucha.

Parent tip: Schkeuditz is northwest of Leipzig near the airport and easy to reach by S-Bahn (commuter rail). Expect it to be in German.

Host
Figurentheater Felix / Kulturhaus Sonne (opens in a new tab)
Where
Kulturhaus Sonne, Schulstraße 10, 04435 Schkeuditz (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Figurentheater Felix / Kulturhaus Sonne (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Zwenkau

Christmas show

Weihnachtsgaukler Djanko Lemon (Christmas Jester Djanko Lemon) (Zwenkau)

Expand to see the parent tip

At the Kulturkino Zwenkau, south of Leipzig, a Christmas children's show is on the program on the first Friday in December. The Christmas jester Djanko Lemon is a fool, harlequin, acrobat, magician and slapstick artist in one, who fits into no world and yet into all of them, says the announcement. The Leipzig event calendar lists the performance in the category children's and youth theater.

It starts at 4 pm, so right after daycare (Kita) and school. For information on prices and age, call the Kulturkino at 034203 62393. Zwenkau lies on the Zwenkauer See and is about half an hour by car from downtown Leipzig, a nice chance for a trip into the surrounding area.

Parent tip: Tickets and information directly from the Kulturkino Zwenkau at 034203 62393. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Kulturkino Zwenkau (opens in a new tab)
Where
Kulturkino Zwenkau, Hugo-Haase-Straße 9, 04442 Zwenkau (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Kulturkino Zwenkau (opens in a new tab)

New events in Leipzig every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Leipzig every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

More Christmas events for kids in Germany

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.de (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Leipzig: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Leipzig?

For 2026, we confirmed 19 Christmas events for kids in Leipzig, each on its host’s own page: Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt 2026 (Leipzig Christmas Market), The Nutcracker (Der Nussknacker): Family Day, The Snow Queen (Die Schneekönigin) and 16 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Leipzig?

Yes, 2 of the 19 events here are free: Sind die Lichter angezündet (Are the Lights Lit) and Taucha Christmas Markets with Family Afternoon in the Castle Courtyard (Taucha). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Leipzig?

Where to see Santa: Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt 2026 (Leipzig Christmas Market), Children's Concert: Fairy Tales, Songs, Texts (Bald nun ist Weihnachtszeit) (Großpösna), Saint Nicholas Day at the Zoo (Nikolaustag im Zoo) and 1 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Leipzig?

Christmas story times on this page: Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt 2026 (Leipzig Christmas Market), Children's Concert: Fairy Tales, Songs, Texts (Bald nun ist Weihnachtszeit) (Großpösna) and Fairy-Tale Hour on Saint Nicholas Day with Storyteller Jörg Werner.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Leipzig

In Leipzig, Santa arrives at the main station on a steam locomotive built in 1943. The city has held a Christmas market since 1458, and it was here that Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his Christmas Oratorio in 1734. For a family visiting Leipzig, that means one of Germany's oldest markets, a lot of children's theater and a very unusual Santa arrival.

How Leipzig celebrates Christmas, and what makes it special for visitors

Leipzig's Christmas is about two things: an old market and a lot of music. The market goes back to 1458, which makes it the second-oldest Christmas market in Germany. Today it has more than 300 decorated stalls in seven areas of the city center, from the market square in front of the Old Town Hall to the Augustusplatz.

The second tradition is music. Bach, the best known of all the Thomaskantors, wrote his Christmas Oratorio here in 1734. The Thomanerchor, the city's boys' choir, still counts it among the highlights of its concert year.

What makes Leipzig different for a visiting family is the Santa arrival. Santa comes by steam locomotive, not by sleigh, and thousands of children wait for him at the main station.

What your child will meet: a steam-train Santa, fairy tales and trombones

The Weihnachtsmann is the German Santa figure. In 2025 he arrived at Leipzig's main station on platform 6 on Saturday, November 29, at 11 a.m. aboard locomotive 52 8154, built in 1943. It is a technical monument of the city and belongs to the railway museum association Eisenbahnmuseum Bayerischer Bahnhof zu Leipzig, which was founded in 1989. A second locomotive of the club, 52 5448, is on display in the main station, where kids can look at it.

On the Augustusplatz there is the Märchenland, a children's area with a fairy-tale forest next to it. In 2025 it had a reading workshop that more than 700 children and companions visited over 12 days, and a fairy-tale riddle that about 1,600 children joined. The Finnish Village is next door, with a 200-year-old log cabin, glögi and flame-grilled salmon.

From the balcony of the Old Town Hall, trombone players play in Advent: Monday to Thursday at 6 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m.

Planning a Christmas visit to Leipzig with kids

This page lists the confirmed events. A few are marked free, and for most of the others the price is not stated, so check before you go. The Leipzig Christmas market opens on November 24, 2026 and runs to December 23, and the children's theater season starts on November 21 with The Snow Queen at the Theater der Jungen Welt.

December 6, St. Nicholas Day, is a busy day. Leipzig Zoo hosts a St. Nicholas Day with the Nikolaus, photos and animal ornament crafts, with free entry for children up to 16. There is also a children's concert at Störmthal palace, a storytelling hour at Villa Rosental, the Traumzauberbaum show and free carol singing in Lindenau at 5 p.m.

Puppet theater is a strength of the city. The small Sterntaler puppet theater has several Christmas plays, and there is a puppet nativity play at the Theater der Jungen Welt for ages 7 and up. Most events are in German, so puppet shows and theater suit families who speak some German best.

Bach and the Christmas Oratorio of 1734

Bach wrote the Christmas Oratorio in 1734, in Leipzig, where he worked for many years as Thomaskantor. It has six parts, one for each festive day from Christmas Day to Epiphany. The first performance was on December 25, 1734.

A simple way to tell it to a child: Bach told the Christmas story in music, in six parts. Today the Thomanerchor sings in the Thomaskirche in Advent.

Traditions today

  • Leipzig Christmas market: More than 300 stalls in seven areas of the city center, with a tradition going back to 1458. In 2026 it opens on November 24.
  • Trombones at the Old Town Hall: Played from the town hall balcony: Monday to Thursday at 6 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m.
  • Bach's Christmas Oratorio and the Thomanerchor: Bach wrote it in Leipzig in 1734. The Thomanerchor gives concerts in the Thomaskirche in Advent.
  • Märchenland and fairy-tale forest: A children's area on the Augustusplatz with a fairy-tale forest right next to it.
  • Finnish Village: On the Augustusplatz, with a 200-year-old log cabin, glögi and flame-grilled salmon.
  • Santa's arrival at the main station: Santa arrives on a steam locomotive on platform 6. Thousands of children were there to greet him in 2025.

A fact for kids

In Leipzig Santa does not arrive by sleigh but on a real steam locomotive. The locomotive was built in 1943 and is more than 80 years old.

Questions about Christmas in Leipzig

Is Leipzig worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes. The market dates back to 1458, Santa arrives by steam train, and the city has a lot of children's theater. The market has a children's area, the Märchenland, and a Finnish Village on the Augustusplatz.

When does the Leipzig Christmas market open in 2026?

On Tuesday, November 24, 2026, with an opening ceremony at 5 p.m. According to the city it runs until December 23, 2026. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m. On December 22 it closes at 8 p.m., and on December 23 only the stalls on the Markt are open until 8 p.m.

When is St. Nicholas Day at Leipzig Zoo in 2026?

On Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a visit from the Nikolaus, the mascot Tammi, photos and animal ornament crafts. Children up to 16 enter free, and adults pay regular zoo admission.

When does The Snow Queen play at the Theater der Jungen Welt in 2026?

From November 21 to December 30, 2026, usually at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. For younger children, the Sterntaler puppet theater shows The Snow Queen for ages 5 and up on December 30 and 31, 2026.

When is the Nutcracker family day at the Leipzig Opera in 2026?

On Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 5 p.m. This family-day performance of the Nutcracker ballet has an early start. Prices are listed at the Leipzig Opera.

Is it true that the Leipzig Christmas market has existed since 1458?

The tradition goes back to 1458, which makes it the second-oldest Christmas market in Germany. In 2026 that is 568 years. Today it spreads over more than 300 stalls in seven areas, from the market in front of the Old Town Hall to the Augustusplatz.

When was the Leipzig Christmas market first mentioned in writing?

The first written mention is in the Leipzig history book by Johann Jacob Vogel from 1714. The tradition itself is older, since the city traces the market back to 1458. That makes it the second-oldest Christmas market in Germany.

How many stalls does the Leipzig Christmas market have?

More than 300 decorated stalls. They stand in seven areas of the center, including the Markt, the Nikolaikirchhof, the Petersstraße and the Augustusplatz with the Märchenland and the Finnish Village. In all there are more than 100 different treats, including Leipzig stollen.

How big is the Christmas tree on the Leipzig market?

In 2025 it was a 21 meter spruce from the Vogtland, decorated with 300 red and gold baubles and about 3,000 lights, lit from the opening on November 25. For 2026 the city announces a tree of about 20 meters with the same decorations.

Can you take a tree home after the Leipzig Christmas market?

Yes. The market office gives away the trees that stand between the stalls. In 2025 it began on December 22 at 4 p.m., with no reservation, at places including the Nikolaikirchhof, the Augustusplatz and the Petersstraße. Stands and hut decorations must stay.

When does Santa arrive by steam train in Leipzig?

Shortly after the market opens. In 2025 he arrived on Saturday, November 29, at 11 a.m. on platform 6 of the main station, and thousands of children were waiting. The 2026 date is not given on this page, so check before you plan around it.

Which steam locomotive brings Santa to Leipzig?

Locomotive 52 8154 from 1943, a technical monument of the city of Leipzig. It belongs to the Eisenbahnmuseum Bayerischer Bahnhof zu Leipzig association, which was founded in 1989. A second locomotive of the club, the 52 5448, is displayed in the main station, where kids can look at it.

When do the trombone players play at the Old Town Hall in Leipzig?

During the market, trombone players play from the balcony of the Old Town Hall. Monday to Thursday they start at 6 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. With small children, the weekend 1 p.m. performance is often the easier one.

What is the Märchenland at the Leipzig Christmas market?

It is the children's area on the Augustusplatz, right next to the fairy-tale forest. In 2025 it had a reading workshop that more than 700 children and companions visited over 12 days. About 1,600 children joined the fairy-tale riddle, and 25 winners were drawn.

What is in the Finnish Village on the Leipzig Christmas market?

It is on the Augustusplatz and has a 200-year-old log cabin in the middle. You can get Finnish specialties such as glögi and flame-grilled salmon. The Märchenland is on the Augustusplatz too, which is handy with kids because both are close together.

When was Bach's Christmas Oratorio first performed?

Bach wrote the Christmas Oratorio in Leipzig in 1734, where he worked for a long time as Thomaskantor. The first performance was on December 25, 1734. It has six parts, for the three Christmas days, New Year's Day, the Sunday after and Epiphany, and the Thomanerchor still performs it in Advent.

Where does the Thomanerchor sing in Advent?

The Thomanerchor gives Advent concerts in the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, and Bach's Christmas Oratorio is one of the highlights of its concert year. In 2025 the choir also performed at the opening of the Christmas market, where about 6,000 people came that evening.

What do you eat at the Leipzig Christmas market?

There are more than 100 treats. Leipzig stollen is typical for the city, and in the Finnish Village on the Augustusplatz there are glögi and flame-grilled salmon. In 2025 there were also children's mugs with market motifs, which were almost sold out by the end.

How many people visit the Leipzig Christmas market?

In 2025 it was clearly more than two million visitors, more than the year before, and about half came from outside Leipzig. It is busiest on Saturdays, then Fridays, and quietest on Mondays. With small children, a weekday visit is more relaxed.

Are there free Christmas events in Leipzig for families?

Two events on this page are listed as free: the carol singing at the Lindenauer Markt and Nathanaelkirchplatz on three Advent Sundays at 5 p.m. (December 6, 13 and 20), and the Taucha Christmas markets from November 27 to 29. Children up to 16 also enter the zoo free on St. Nicholas Day. For most other events the price is not stated, so check with the host.

Are Christmas events in Leipzig in English?

Most events are in German, especially the puppet and theater shows. The sources do not say which events offer English, so check with the host. The market, the steam locomotive and the music do not depend on language.

What Christmas shows can children see in Leipzig?

Options include The Snow Queen at the Theater der Jungen Welt, Pettersson and Findus and Spuren im Schnee at the Sterntaler puppet theater, and a puppet nativity play at the Theater der Jungen Welt on December 19, 20 and 22 for ages 7 and up. There is also the Traumzauberbaum show at the Haus Auensee on December 6 and a toddler musical theater show on December 5 and 6 for ages 2 to 6.

Sources

  1. Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt 2025, pressetext (Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing)
  2. Weihnachtsmarkt 2025: Mehr Besucher, Bäume ab 22. Dezember zu verschenken, Leipziger Internet Zeitung (Mitteilung des Marktamts)
  3. Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt 2026 (Pressemitteilung), Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
  4. Mit Volldampf voraus: Großer Bahnhof für den Weihnachtsmann, Leipziger Internet Zeitung (Mitteilung des Marktamts)
  5. Das Weihnachtsoratorium, Planet Wissen (WDR)
  6. Jauchzet, frohlocket: Jubiläum des Weihnachtsoratoriums, evangelisch.de
Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Christmas Events for Kids in Leuven (2026)
Next

Christmas Events for Kids in Lausanne (2026)